AUSTIN, Texas — Freshman infielder Devon Tunning went 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored to lead the Texas Softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Incarnate Word (5-1) and Odessa College (18-0) on Saturday afternoon at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
Texas used a pre-set 18-person batting lineup and a predetermined pitching and defensive rotation for both games. The quartet of sophomore Holly Kern, junior Gabby Smith and freshmen Lauren Slatten and Tiarra Davis combined to allow just one unearned run on nine hits while striking out 13 batters in 14.0 innings on the afternoon.
In addition to Tunning’s performance, the Longhorns were led at the plate by senior Taylor Thom (3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored) and senior Mandy Ogle (3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored). Senior Brejae Washington and sophomores Stephanie Ceo, Taylor King and Kern each added two hits apiece.
The Longhorns scored four runs on five hits in the bottom of the first inning en route to the victory against Incarnate Word in the opening game of the doubleheader. Texas produced its runs in the first on RBI singles from Taylor Thom and Mandy Ogle and a two-out, two-run triple from Gabby Smith. UIW got on the board in the top of the third with an unearned run off freshman Tiarra Davis, before the Horns concluded the scoring with an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth.
The Texas offense exploded for 18 runs on 20 hits in the win against Odessa College. The Longhorns scored at least one run in five of their six at-bats, including seven runs on eight hits in the second inning alone. Kern went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double, three RBI and two runs scored in the contest, while Thom went 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored. Ogle went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, and King went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
The Longhorns resume their fall schedule on Friday, Oct. 4, when they host Temple College. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Central at McCombs Field, and the game will be televised live by Longhorn Network.
Courtesy of Texas Sports Information
